§ 11. Mr. CECIL WILSONasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that William Eastwood, No. 3/6806, York and Lancaster Regiment, received an intimation in November, 1920, of a final gratuity of £37 10s. for gunshot wounds in back and side; that in December, 1921, he was awarded eight weeks at 12s. 6d., or £5 in all, on the same grounds; that in March, 1922, he was awarded a pension of £42 10s. on the ground of emphysema, to date back to 22nd January, 1921, and t hat in the, communication intimating this award he was told that it was subject to a deduction of the amounts he had already received; and whether the usual practice of the Ministry is to deal with cases in this manner, and, if so, why?
§ Major TRYONThe gratuities, £37 10s. and £5, were awarded in respect of the gunshot wounds and were superseded by an award of pension which represented the degree of disablement arising from both the gunshot wounds and from emphysema, a condition not previously accepted as due to service. The earlier awards in respect of the gunshot wounds had therefore to be set off against the later award in respect of both disabilities. I may add that the compensation granted by the later award of March, 1922, was not £42 10s., as stated in the question, but pension at the 20 per cent. rate, which is still in payment.